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AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the latest round of Travis County tax appraisals, some property values soared up to 60 percent higher.

Tuesday night, Austin homeowners shocked by their appraisals will have an opportunity to learn the background and ways to contest the estimates at a property tax forum hosted by Travis County officials.

Travis County Cheif Appraiser Marya Crigler said the hot Austin market and more people wanting to live in the city is driving up the prices.

“In Austin we have a very strong real estate market, so sales prices are indicating an increase in market value and appraisals are reflecting that in the real estate market,” Crigler said. She and the Travis County Tax Assessor and Collector Bruce Elfant will be at the forum.

People can legally lower their tax bills through a homestead exemption. This exemption places a limit on how much a tax bill can go up, but only on a primary residence. Unfortunately for some homeowners, it’s too late to submit the form this year.

Another option is to formally protest an overvalued appraisal. Homeowners opting to protest their appraisal will need to get a written protest submitted by June 1st, but officials are considering extend the deadline because they said they estimate a lot of people will protest their appraisals.

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